Chapter 1 - A night at the Electric Labyrinth

As soon as Charlie's thought comes through, Jack abandons the lower-level search and races back upstairs recklessly, as fast as she can and frankly faster than she should. She tears her dress and abraids her dark skin as she blasts through the door to the parking garage, and is at a full sprint when she puts eyes on Charlie and Conner. When they both gesture at the exit, the preposterously athletic woman nods, grimaces and pushes harder, giving it her all. She's breathtaking when she's moving like this, but catching a vehicle moving at top speed on an open road? She doesn't have the legs for that. Now -- intercepting a speeding van that has to navigate its way out of a big event center's parking lot that's full of turns, gates, and other cars? That's doable.

Jack lays eyes on the black vehicle the moment she gets outside, and seeing the sparks flying from its damaged wheel gives her hope. Quick mental calculations see her try to predict where it will try to make an exit onto the street. That becomes her interception point, her point of attack -- and off she goes, cutting across the parking lot, bounding over cars, racing between rows, forward-flipping as she leaps over fences and guardrails...

Connor watches, jaw agape, as Jack races out of the stairwell and tears after the van, hurdling the hood of a Jeep Commander to cut a corner.

"Shit, you see that? Come on, let's go after her. You can lean on me."

He chuckles. "Lean on me, When you're not strong, And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on... "

As the black van forces its way through the security gate, shattering the barrier in its haste, Jack bursts onto the scene with unmatched determination. Security guards, their gestures futile as they try to stop the reckless driver, are left dumbfounded as they witness the athletic black woman in a tiny dress swiftly weaving through their midst.

With adrenaline coursing through her veins, Jack races after the van, her senses sharp and her focus unwavering. The damaged tire and the van's struggles to navigate through the streets only fuel her resolve to intercept it before it can vanish into the night.

Bounding out of the parking garage, Jack's movements are a symphony of speed and agility as she dodges obstacles and maneuvers through the crowded streets. Her athleticism is on full display as she effortlessly leaps over barriers, sidesteps pedestrians, and zigzags between cars with precision.

As the traffic light ahead turns red at the corner of E 58th Street and Lexington Ave, the van's slow down. With a burst of energy, Jack closes the distance between herself and the van, her determination driving her forward. The black vehicle doesn't intend to stop there, the driver anticipating the trafic to go through the red light between the cars. She can see through the side windows of the Van two goons with tattoos that don't seem in a good mood.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Connor, barely had the time to arrive at the security gate, are met with disbelief from the guards, one is scramble to report the chaotic scene unfolding before them with the phone in the cabin. " What the fuck?!... Must be on drugs. " The second guard said out loud.Useful Links(NYC Players' map) (Van's location)

Max stops when he encounters the security guards and grins disarmingly, holding both hands up to show he means no harm.

"You guys see a girl come by here? Black dress, nice smile? She said she'd meet me in the stairwell and..." he looks between the two guards and lets a look of dawning realization creep over his face. Playing dumb comes naturally to him, it's just another tool in the 'talk your way out of any situation' toolbox. He lets his shoulders slump and shakes his head. "Aww, man. Did I get fooled again? You'd think I'd learn."

He turns and points down the stairs. "I'll just see myself back down."

As long as the guards don't follow, he starts the trek back down and thinks to Charlie, nothing up here, man. Just beefy security. If security were in on it, they wouldn't have needed to disable the doors. Hope you guys had better luck.

On his way back down, he gets a message from Seo-ah. He opens it and almost trips heading down. Damn. Holy hell. He was in trouble for sure.

Max: Calling a car as soon as I finish this drink

Max: be there ASAP

He hurries down the stairs. They don't really need his help, do they? But he has to know for sure; he can't leave them hanging. He's done that one too many times. These are his only friends, even if they don't approve of his life choices. No one else could understand his life, his past, his powers. So he rushes downstairs, waiting for a response, hoping Charlie is still in range.

As powerful as Jack is, as strong a runner and jumper, she is every bit as acrobatic, agile and deft. Her short cuts have worked and gotten her close to the van, but she knows she has one shot at this. A ripping-fast sprint accelerates the woman down the street, then she cartwheels and sends herself sailing and tumbling into the air... trying to untuck at just the right moment and land on the roof of the vehicle as lightly as she can.

Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge - Jack
Jack's agile maneuver would have earned her gold at the Olympics. Unfortunately, only an elderly couple in their ancient Ford Taurus witnessed her acrobatics, their eyes wide like saucers. Though her landing made a considerable noise, the bustling sounds of the city likely masked it. Without missing a beat, the van pressed on with its erratic path through the streets, its damaged tire hampering its progress.

Several blocks later, the van slowed to a crawl at the base of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, eventually approaching a secluded, shadowy parking lot. Among the dilapidated old Ford pickups that had seen better days, an ambulance sat there its engine humming softly, and a sleek black Mercedes sedan gleamed in the dim light. Two female figures, shrouded in darkness stood near the luxury car, their features obscured.

As the van enters the parking lot, Jack strains her eyes to make out more details, but the darkness obscures her view.

Useful Links(NYC Players' map) (Van's location)

B2 Parking - Max, Charlie and Connor"You got run over by those freaks, sorry to hear that. Are you alright?" The security guard asked Tony with genuine concern. Meanwhile, his colleague is on the phone with the police, describing the scene. They can hear him talking from the security parking cabin window.

"I saw two guys driving," the guard continued, his voice tense. "There are cameras all over the parking, and we got their plate. They won't get far, that van looked in bad shape. "

Max arrives last at the scene, his breath rags and his heart pounding in his chest. He isn't the most fit guy and feels like his heart is going to burst out of his chest.

"GYB-4778, I think," the guard affirmed. "We'll file a report with the cops when they arrive. You'll need it for your insurance claim," he adds.

He lets out a weary sigh. "Ah man, this is going to be a lot of paperwork again," he remarks, shaking his head at the mess before them. " I heard a crash deeper in the parking, I suppose they damaged other cars? "

Max stares at the image on his phone. Damn.

"Listen, um." He looks between Tony/Charlie and Connor, then flashes his lopsided grin that they both know means he's pulling his usual bullshit again.

"Something came up. I gotta be three blocks..." He checks the map, looks around to get his bearings, and points up the street, "...that way, in thirty minutes or I lose out on a deal I setup earlier."

He shrugs to his two companions. "I wouldn't be much help, anyway. You guys got this." He takes a few backward steps in the direction of the hotel. Tav could have been helpful and she ditched. Why shouldn't he? Besides, Anika didn't even like him. She was ice cold on that job. Why should he stick his neck out, and miss out on Seo-ah, for her?

"But, you know, text me later. Let me know how things worked out."

Connor freezes at the comment about cameras all over the place. "Their van is borked, be easy to find. Their back-end exploded, it was wild. Lube your joints people!"

Max, the cameras might have picked up my light show, lasering their tires. Can you get them to erase the footage? Or send it to you then erase it?

Max huffs but stops walking away. He gives Connor side eyes as he approaches the security guard who's not on the phone.

"Say, pal," he says to the guard as he forces a thought into the man's head. You want to help me.

"Do you have access to the security footage?"

Tav takes her drink with a thank you and sips it, with a nod of approval, as Selvie and Luna share gossip. Her eyes fix upon the exotic dancer on the stage before them, without actually paying attention to her state of undress. "La Cosa Nostra and other syndicates meeting here at El Labyrinth is the secret everyone in the know knows...you know?" She comments with a playful smirk. "Though, I too am intrigued by this mystery VIP. I've heard a few rumors myself about recent activity, but I can't confirm anything...yet."

Looking out to her admiring patrons, the sexy girl on stage notices Tav's eyes on her and smiles, Unless she gets a very lucrative invitation by the end of her set, she's likely to make a pass by Tav and Selvie's booth before heading to the dressing rooms to see if they want a private dance...or two.

Moonrise - Tav and SelvieLuna smiles warmly. "Yes, the five Cosa Nostra families are present tonight, but it's rare to see them all together like this. Surprisingly, their rivals, including the East Coast Bloods, biker gangs, and South American factions, are all mingling on the same floor without any altercations. It's not your usual night at the club."

Noticing Tav's interest in the dancers, Luna excuses herself to attend to another booth. "Enjoy the rest of your night, let me know if you need anything else. " she bids them farewell.

As Tav and Selvie catch the attention of some of the dancers, Penelope and Vanessa, two Caucasian women, approach them and offer their services for a more private experience if they're interested.


Penelope and Vanessa, adorned in elaborate costumes that sparkle under the dim lights of the club, exude confidence as they approach Tav and Selvie. Their movements are fluid and graceful, a testament to their years of experience as professional dancers.

"Hello there, ladies," Penelope says with a sultry smile, her voice smooth and inviting. "We couldn't help but notice you admiring our performance. Are you interested in joining us for a private dance or more?"

Vanessa nods in agreement, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "We promise to make it an unforgettable experience," she adds, her tone playful yet alluring.

The two dancers exude an aura of sensuality as they await Tav and Selvie's response, their tantalizing movements drawing the attention of other club patrons nearby.